Red-tailed hawk down

Mountainaire Avian Rescue Society volunteer Kevin Gleason picks up a red-tailed hawk apparently hit by a vehicle on Dogwood Street Tuesday afternoon. The bird was taken to the society’s facility in Merville for treatment.

Police officers tended to an accident with a difference on Dogwood Street Tuesday.

The victim in an apparent collision with a vehicle was unable to fly away. Luckily the red tailed hawk lying on the road was turned over to police officers alive but injured.

“There was a bird on the middle of the Simms Creek bridge,” said Const. Julie Goulet. “A passerby had a towel and put a towel over top of his head. By putting a towel over his head it kind of calms it down. Another member, the police dog handler, drove by and he had leather gloves and, so, was able to pick up the bird and put it aside.”

The Mountainaire Avian Rescue Society was called and dispatched a volunteer, Kevin Gleason, to retrieve the bird and take it to the society’s facility in Merville. Society manger Maj Birch confirmed the bird is a juvenile red-tailed hawk.

The hawk hit on Dogwood was emaciated and weak, and society volunteers began tube feeding it to revive its strength. The bird may possibly have internal injuries and the immediate plan was to stabilize its health. He was also administered pain killer and will be monitored to see if he returns to full health.